Marie Hulett: Play it safe and keep the holidays happy

Nov. 30, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 12:28 p.m.

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Some dogs, like Peke and Pudge --sitting on Santa's lap for a photo op in 2011 -- don't mind all the holiday fuss. Others might think those duds are just ripe for chewing. Be sure your pets stay out of trouble by keeping them away from anything -- like bits of clothing that could clog their intestines -- that could cause trouble. JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER

Some dogs, like Peke and Pudge --sitting on Santa's lap for a photo op in 2011 -- don't mind all the holiday fuss. Others might think those duds are just ripe for chewing. Be sure your pets stay out of trouble by keeping them away from anything -- like bits of clothing that could clog their intestines -- that could cause trouble. JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER

Q. Dear Marie,

I love the columns that you and Maryanne Dell write and have been a fan for years. I think you give great advice and people respect what you say. So that is why I am writing now; I am hoping that you can do a column about the holidays and how people should be extra careful with their pets. We had a near tragedy last year and it was only because of sheer luck and timing that our cat survived. We had just finished putting up our Christmas tree and had decided to go out to dinner. When we got to the restaurant, I realized that I had forgotten my purse, so we drove back home. When I got in the house, I noticed the Christmas tree seemed messed up. When I looked closer, I saw my cat within the branches. She was completely limp, and a string of garland was tangled around her neck. I untangled it immediately and rushed her to the vet. They were able to perform CPR and bring her back – but it was very touch-and-go, and we really thought we had lost her. I would have been devastated if she had died, and I would have blamed myself because I should have known better. I would never want anyone else to go through something like this so I wanted to share. I hope you will print it and talk about holiday safety in your column.

Andrea

Mission Viejo

A. Dear Andrea,

That was an incredible story, and I so appreciate that you shared this. I am extremely happy your kitty survived; and you are right – that was amazing luck and timing. I bet at the time that you realized you had forgotten your purse you were frustrated – but what a miracle that turned out to be!

Holidays indeed can be a very dangerous time for our pets. Maryanne Dell and I generally do try and cover this topic every year, so thank you for this very important reminder to do so. I will start with your example about Christmas trees. In addition to the choking hazards presented by garland and light strands, Christmas trees contain a lot of other perils. For instance, if you use thin, plastic foil icicles and you have a cat or dog that enjoys eating non-food items, these decorations pose a big risk. If these decorations are ingested, they can actually form a blockage in your pet's intestinal track. This is also true of ribbons and any other soft, hanging ornaments. Unless you know for sure that your pet will not be tempted to chew on or eat these items, it's best not to use them.

Electric light strands are also a potential hazard for another reason – electric shock – especially if you have a puppy or kitten that is in the teething phase. As a rule, if you have a pet that chews things up, don't use electric lights unless your tree is in a part of the house your pet can't get to.

Some other decorations that you should avoid include holly, mistletoe, and some lilies, due to their toxic nature. Of course, never give your pets chocolate or human treats that contain xylitol. Your little furry friends may want to share in the sweets, but the aftereffects could be deadly. If you don't already have a pet poison control number handy, this definitely a good time of year to add the number to your cellphone or post it on your refrigerator. A number of organizations offer 24/7 poison-control consulting. A quick internet search for "Pet Poison Control Hotline" will provide lots of information and numbers.

Candles seem to be much more prevalent during the holiday season. Please be extra vigilant when using candles if you have curious and playful pets. Candles can be knocked over, causing a house fire, or a pet who gets too close can get burned. Remember, having a pet is like having a permanent human toddler in the house. So "pet-proof" in the same way you would "child-proof."

Finally, if you are going to have guests, keep a good watch on the door. If people are carrying gifts or other items in and out of the house, it's a prime opportunity for a pet to accidentally get out, get lost or get injured. Sometimes it's best to keep pets safe in one room of the house that is closed and quiet. Having "outsiders" in the home can be very stressful for our four-legged family members. So keeping them in a room with their own pet beds, soft music, food, water and their favorite toys is a good safety step to take.

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